Unpopular Thoughts
So my best friend is an odd person. I've known her since we were nine, and neither of us can really say just why we're friends. We're different in almost every way possible, but it's a difference that works. Those rare occasions we do agree we agree with an intensity and skill that frighten ordinary passersby. We normally agree twice a year... This year, her first pic is Twilight. She's getting into the collecting phase quickly, and wants me to know what she's talking about. My response is, "Oh shucks... in Japan, no English books."
"I'll send you a copy. You should read it."
"Well, if you send me one..."
In a startling display of motivation, she actually did. Damn. Well, my English book supply is limited, and it gives me something to do on the train. Besides, she says she assumes I'll hate it, so no hard feelings. I've read the first couple of chapters now, but it's already got three strikes.
1. The reason I avoided it in the first place is it's about vampires. It's rare that I get into a vampire story. The genre is pretty hackneyed and repetitive and just... dull for my tastes.
2. It's about *Teenage* vampires. I hate teenagers (yes, I know I work in a high school. Your point?). I especially hate when adults try to write teenagers because it gets even more emo angsty bleh than real ones.
3. It's told in first person from a teenage perspective! aiwritingfic and some of her Tokyo gang had a discussion about first person narrative. She hates it, and we spent a while trying to think of stories that we liked told in first person. I came up with two... And neither of them are teenagers. I'm sure there's more I'm not thinking of, but when I list my favorite books/stories of all times, no 1st person P.O.V.'s are on the list. If you're going to use first person, you have to have a genuine reason for doing so, limiting perspective and making your narrator biased and untrustworthy are good reasons. This story really has no reason for that, so limiting us to hearing Bella's whining only makes the story longer and with more trivial description than we actually need. It reads like anything that came up in workshop for my College creative fiction class; an amateur writing in first person because they think it's neat, putting in detail because they can, not because they have a purpose.
So yeah, I'm not moved. I'll finish it cuz I promised I would, but as far as the fandom goes, I think I ca pretty much be counted out. If I'm not moved in 3 chapters, the book is doing something wrong.
Yes, I am a snobby elitist. Yes, I like me like that.
Again, if you're into the fandom, go ahead and enjoy yourself. I spent 700 bucks to go see Tenimyu, so I have noooooooooooo stones to throw about enjoying not-quality entertainment, but this series is really not for me.
Also, fansite is down, so look at the pretty silver dragon V1 gave me! He's actually, boukensilver.
